How long was Nicolás Maduro president of Venezuela?

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro was taken out of the country along with his wife by U.S. troops.

How long was Nicolas Maduro president of Venezuela?

Nicolás Maduro had been in power for over twelve years. He assumed office on April 19, 2013, after the death of Hugo Chávez, who became his mentor while serving as vice president during Chávez’s administration. Maduro was re-elected in 2018 for a second presidential term. However, the 2024 re-election, like the one in 2018, was surrounded by controversy due to its lack of transparency, and it did not receive recognition from some countries and international organisations.

Throughout a decade of power, Maduro’s government has been marked by a profound economic crisis, various political tensions, and international sanctions. Therefore, this Sunday’s elections were seen of utmost importance for the Venezuelan people, as it was the first time in a decade that an opposition candidate had a reasonable chance to end the dominance of chavismo in the country. It wasn’t to be.

Why did the U.S. attack Venezuela and detain Maduro?

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Nicolás Maduro was indicted in the United States for drug trafficking, corruption and other charges in 2020, which is when the U.S. State Department announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

But, Trump’s objectives for attacking Venezuela are still unclear. Global leaders have voiced their concerns on Jan. 3, 2026 and the world is waiting to hear what Trump has to say in his Saturday press conference from Mar-A-Lago.